R.I.P. Legendary Producer/Sound Engineer Andy Johns

According to Billboard, legendary music producer and sound engineer Andy Johns passed away on Sunday at the age of 61. The cause of death is not yet known, but Johns was hospitalized last week for liver problems. L.A. Guns guitarist Stacey Blades, who was working on a collaboration with Johns before his hospitalization, confirmed the death.

The British producer worked on several classic albums such as The Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main Street and Led Zeppelin’s IV. Johns’ roster of clients also includes Van Halen, Jethro Tull, Joni Mitchelland many more.

Johns is the younger brother of Glyn Johns and the uncle of Ethan Johns, who are also both skilled and celebrated music producers. The Surrey-bred music mastermind followed in his brother’s footsteps and began his career as a tape operator at Olympic Studios in London. At 19-years-old, Johns worked one of his first gigs as the second sound engineer on the Jimi HendrixExperience’s Axis: Bold as Love.

Collaborating an albums for both Van Halenand Chickenfoot, Michael Anthony offered condolences about Johns’ death on his website: “Just heard about the passing of my friend and producer, Andy johns. Words cannot express my sadness upon hearing this. Those of us who had the pleasure of knowing and working with Andy, you know what I’m saying. I loved you brother.”

Johns is survived by his wife, three sons and two grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are pending.